Balance

Which way are the scales tipping today? The never-ending struggle to fit it all in, be it physically, spiritually, emotionally, continues. Losing an hour for daylight savings does not help when life is down to minutes! I am not complaining, really I'm not. The juggling act is my own creation and the choices are mine alone. Yes, things happen that threaten to tip the scales, things out of my control happen all the time. The art of finding balance comes from learning to adjust, to lean in another direction when the 50 mph wind threatens to blow you over.
I said to a friend the other day, "It feels like the entire world is shaking" We were talking about all that has been going on, not only in our city, state and at work, but with our friends and family. Two beautiful people in my life are struggling with cancer. This weighs heavy on my heart. How ironic to wake up Friday morning with the images and stories all over the news about the huge earthquake in Japan and the Tsunami that followed. The devastation, the lives lost....so surreal. The earth is indeed shaking.
For this blog, I'm going to be selfish and write about my own world. The original intent of these postings were to talk about my racing and training, and to raise awareness for HHT. Obviously there is more going on outside my own personal bubble that seems to take on more importance. But today, I'm being egocentric. The more important stuff of life, for the moment, will remain in my periphery.
Up until January of this year, I have been self coached, with more than a bit of help from my running/triathlete friends. This year,I took my training down a different path and joined a multisport team, BBMC. Blake Becker is a pro triathlete that I met a few years ago through a co-worker. I had considered hiring him at the time to personally coach me through my first attempt at Ironman. I had a really hard time deciding if this was the direction I should go. I was really apprehensive about giving up control over my training, and wondering if this young guy could really help this middle-aged triathlete wannabe with more than a few issues! Then there was the cost...we just couldn't swing it. So I decided to continue on my own. Of course, I didn't finish IM 2009 on my own....there are so many people that helped my cross that finish line. Especially my angel Katie, who developed my training plan, trained with me, and ended up knowing how my body was responding better that I did! I've always told her she should become a coach. She decided get pregnant with twins instead! :-)
Blake and I re-connected through Facebook last summer, and he graciously helped me a bit with my training for Pigman. His input and advice was so helpful, and he's more than a little responsible for my best triathlon performance so far. When he told me that he was putting together a team for this season, I was so excited! I felt it would be the ideal situation for me. I would get the benefit of group training along with Blake's support. And I really liked Blake's plan to include friends and family whenever possible, realizing how important and beneficial their support can be.
But I was still nervous. I only knew Blake, and Julie, who is one of Blake's athletes that I met at Masters swim. The team would consist of up to 30 athletes, and we had the opportunity to join group runs, cycling classes, and a team swim. GULP!! All of my insecurities and negative brain chatter were rearing their ugly heads. How would I ever manage to keep up with everyone? Would this be too much for this increasingly creaky body? Would the TRX classes...aka..."torture" classes that Blake recommends KILL me?? (;-)) Again, over and over I come to this place. I love this sport so much! How far can I go? Am I willing to step WAY out of my comfort zone and take a different approach to my training?
We started team training in January. So far, I am smitten! I'm getting to know some really great people. I've learned that they come from varied athletic backgrounds....some new to the sport, and others very seasoned athletes who have been doing this for years, and still others who are making a return to triathlon after some time away. I've learned that although this still feels new to me, I really have been at this awhile and have a bit more experience than I allow myself to recognize. I am leaning that every training session, I learn even more. And I am surviving TRX....BARELY!! ;-)
It has been challenging in a few ways. The group training and TRX classes are done on the west side of Madison, so I'm having to drive 30 minutes one way, several times a week. Definitely eats up a ton of time...and GAS! :-O While the training volume isn't too bad yet, the intensity of the workouts has increased a few notches. In preparation for the Green Bay Marathon, only two months away, my running mileage has increased. And something VERY different for me...the group Sunday afternoon swim AFTER my long Sunday morning runs! Lordy, there have only been a few of these so far, but they are hard!! Blake has been very encouraging and insist that these swims will help my legs recover faster. So far, I do NOT feel this during those swims!
Interestingly, my legs, pelvis, and hips DO feel better...Monday morning anyway! They are still not very happy on Sunday night, but I seem to be recovered enough to get in a quality group run on Tuesday nights. This morning was my first 12 miler in many months. I was already tired from this weeks training, and I didn't have high hopes that it would go well. It went....very well!! It started out slow as usual, and I felt soooo stiff. At mile 5 I was to run for 60 minutes at 15 seconds faster than marathon pace. I thought, "no way", but I will do my best. It was even better. I couldn't believe it!! Again...so grateful.
I decided to forgo the group swim for today. The winds were blowing, and I needed to lean a different way. Mike and I have a very busy week ahead. On Friday he will leave and be gone for over a week. Today is our one day together, and we will spend the rest of our Sunday uninterrupted!
Balance...it takes constant work to maintain, but completely worth the effort :-)
Enjoy this day!